Bridge Tavern 11-0 Rileys

Last updated : 12 April 2006 By Editor
The start of April, so true to form it was raining for the most of the day, despite bright sunshine the day before, sods law.

In what was to be a difficult month for the Bridge, in which every game was going to be difficult, little did we know how the month would start out.

Riley's were the 1st of these last few games, and the Manor Park would be starting point for the month.

The line up for this game was:

Lormor, Scott, Ashley, Quiche, Mellors, Danny, Jay, Danny, Gav E, Gallagher and Manq.

Subs were Bread and Leigh.

The Bridge were kicking down the 45 degree slope in the 1st half, and the 1st chance of the game fell for Gallagher who latched onto a ball over the defence, however the visiting keeper was out sharply to smother the effort.

Gallagher was involved again soon after as he played a ball through to Gav, but his lofted effort was wide of goal.

It wasn't long though before the early pressure told on the visitors net, Gallagher controlled from a throw in on the left hand side, and made a good turn before shooting into the roof of the net.

Jay went close to a 2nd goal for the Bridge, but his 20 yard effort was comfortably saved.

Manq had a penalty claim soon after, as he was dumped on his backside after rounding the keeper, but as he continued to go wide, the visiting defender appeared to take Manq's legs from under him, however the referee waved play on.

From the resulting corner, there was a mad scramble, in which the ball was handled on the line, I wasn't looking at the time, but I was reliably informed that the defender had tipped the ball onto the bar, and was promptly sent off.

Gav stepped up to stroke the penalty home for a 2-0 lead.

This seemed to completely knock the stuffing out of the visitors, and the Bridge were now on the rampage.

Gav and Jay shared some 1-2 passing down the left, before Jay sidestepped into the edge of the area to demolish a low drive to make it 3-0, whilst taxi moment for the umpteenth time this season went to Manq, as Gallagher powered into the area, before lining one up for the player manager, only for Manq to miss the ball completely.

As I was busy writing that one up, Jay made the score 4-0, I must learn shorthand!

This was how the score stayed until half time.

Again, I was slow of the mark as regards to writing ones notes, but was reliably informed that the 1st action of the half saw Manq miss from 4 yards.

He more than made up for it though soon after, when he made it 5-0, Lormor's long kick cleared the defence, and Gallagher in on goal squared it for Manq to finish. Chris Karama on his goals on Monday programme tried to give it to the defender, but as no one takes any notice of the annoying presenter, Manq can claim it.

By now the Riley's offside trap had collapsed like a pair of tarts knickers, Jay played through Manq whose lob was perfectly executed to head into the net for 6-0.

Mellors came off hobbling for Leigh.

Scott came of for Bread.

Manq fluffed his hat trick chance, when he rounded the keeper but missed the ball with the goal chanting come and get me.

The Bridge were to get their second penalty of the game when following a corner, the ball appeared to strike a defenders shoulder, with the referee pointing to the spot. Leigh Brittain stepped up to make it 7-0.

Gav nearly made it 8 when his volley curled wide.

Gav set up number 8 though, when he took the mickey in the middle of the park, before setting up Gallagher who finished well.

Number 9 was not far behind, as Gallagher again took advantage of confusion and again finished smartly.

Jay nearly made it double figures, when he showed great skill, only to see his resulting effort cleared of the line.

Manq set up number ten, when his effort was saved, only for Gallagher to follow up and give Bridge their record win.

Even this is getting tenuous, Gallagher scored number 11 to seal the record win.

A superb performance, and as 11-0 wins go, this was one of them. Riley's never troubled Lormor, in fact he could have made his wedding rehearsal for this day, and still play in goal.

It was one of those wins where the vidiprinter would print the score out, then write it out, just in case you thought it was lying.

I don't want to be to harsh on Riley's, who never resorted to fighting their way out of the mess, but still kept going, fair play to them